Karl Rove's Last Day At The White House - Hooray?

Today is Karl Rove’s last day at the White House. Though I am somewhat relieved to see this political Machiavelli leave I am also a little worried. I know the excuse was to “spend more time with the family”, but we all know that means either fired or running to his lawyers to prepare a defense against legal action. I am worried because he will continue to advise Bush, but now he will do it completely unseen.

As a private citizen he can escape all of the few remaining checks and balances that should make business in our government transparent. He can continue to scheme and plot but now he can do it in secret without breaking the law. That should worry everyone.

No single political advisor has been so effective in changing the face of American government. At Rove’s advice Bush and his cronies have politicized the heads of almost every government agency, making the entire government in effect a direct servant to the Bush White House. This is not how our government was set up and it’s the same kind of centralized power that has proven the downfall of many countries, most recently the Soviet Union.

Comparing the US to the Soviets would have been unthinkable a few years ago, but today there are so many parallels it defies belief. Our move toward totalitarianism under the Bush administration is disturbing and quick. In just a few years he has consolidated more power in the Executive branch than ever and it sets a dangerous precedent.

Due to the consolidation of media, much of the power grab has been invisible. Television news rambles on and on about Anna Nichole and O.J. and other individuals whose lives may be interesting but have no bearing on the average American’s life. We are blinded by crap, packaged and sold as “news” and we have willingly let the White House garner dangerous power. It is time to pull back the covers on this activity and demand accountability and transparency in our Government. After all it is the property of “We the people.”